Reliable single-crystal diffractometer for molecules/proteins, low background, 137° 2θ.
Nexus Series
● Simultaneously collects XRD and gas/vapor sorption data.
● High-power X-ray source (600–1600 W) with ±0.01° angular accuracy.
● Fully automated intelligent workflow.
● Four model configurations (Nexus G Core, Nexus G Cryo, Nexus GV Core, Nexus GV Cryo).
What occurs when a material’s crystal structure interacts with its pore adsorption characteristics? How can researchers eliminate data barriers between different characterization methods, and advance from single-parameter testing to comprehensive, multi-parameter analysis?
The Nexus Series Integrated XRD–Sorption Analysis Platform delivers the answer. It synchronously collects X-ray diffraction data during gas and vapor physisorption experiments, creating direct, meaningful correlations between structural changes and adsorption behavior. The system simultaneously records crystallographic data — including crystal structure, lattice parameters, and phase composition — alongside key adsorption metrics such as adsorption isotherms, adsorption capacity, pore size distribution, and average pore diameter.
This enables end-to-end characterization across crystal structure, microscopic pore architecture, and macroscopic material performance. It reveals the causal links that govern material performance, improves the credibility of research results, and speeds up innovative development for catalysts, energy storage materials, and porous adsorbents.
The Nexus Series is uniquely engineered to bridge crystallographic and sorption characterization in a single, fully integrated platform — eliminating the experimental gaps, sample transfer errors, and data inconsistencies that arise when XRD and adsorption analysis are performed as separate experiments on separate instruments.
XRD data acquisition is fully integrated into the adsorption measurement workflow. One-click operation enables completely automated experiments with unattended execution from start to finish, eliminating manual intervention between sorption and diffraction data collection steps.
Features continuously adjustable X-ray tube power from 600 W to 1600 W for high-quality diffraction data acquisition across a wide range of sample types. Higher tube power improves the peak-to-background ratio and lowers detection limits for quantitative phase analysis — critical when characterizing materials undergoing structural evolution at low concentrations of a transforming phase.
Achieves a 2θ angular accuracy of ±0.01°, verified against NIST-1976a corundum standard reference material, ensuring precise peak positioning and excellent agreement with standard reference materials. Peak position repeatability on the quartz SiO₂ (101) reflection demonstrates sub-millidegree reproducibility.
Features a 256 × 256 pixel array with 55 × 55 μm pixel pitch for simultaneous signal acquisition across the full detector area. Provides high-resolution diffraction data with excellent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Selectable 0D, 1D, and 2D operating modes support a wide range of application requirements from routine powder diffraction through texture analysis and pair distribution function (PDF) measurements.
The in situ sample stage is engineered to minimize dead volume — the gas-phase volume not occupied by the sample. Minimizing dead volume is essential for accurate sorption measurements, particularly at low pressures in micropore characterization, where dead volume corrections can otherwise become a dominant source of error. The minimized dead volume design ensures that measured adsorption accurately reflects sample behavior rather than instrument geometry artifacts.
Features high-precision pressure transducers with ranges of 1000 Torr, 10 Torr, and 1 Torr (or 0.1 Torr), providing accurate pressure measurement from high vacuum through atmospheric pressure. This multi-range configuration supports both micropore analysis (requiring precise low-pressure measurement) and mesopore/macropore characterization (requiring accurate high-pressure measurement) in a single instrument without transducer switching.
Features a turbomolecular pump backed by a mechanical pump, achieving the clean high vacuum required for reliable micropore characterization. An optimized, user-serviceable cold-trap manifold maintains an ultra-clean measurement environment, protecting the turbomolecular pump from condensable vapors and ensuring long-term system reliability in demanding research applications.
The transfer line connecting the sorption system to the XRD stage features an independent temperature-control system that maintains a constant free volume throughout the experiment. This ensures accurate and reproducible measurements under in situ conditions, preventing condensation or adsorption of gas-phase species in the transfer line that would compromise the accuracy of the correlated XRD-sorption dataset.
The vapor generation module is housed within a temperature-controlled enclosure with a cold-spot-free design. This prevents vapor condensation at any point in the delivery pathway and ensures a stable, controlled vapor pressure for accurate and reliable vapor adsorption measurements — enabling characterization of water vapor, organic solvent vapors, and other adsorbates beyond the range of standard gas adsorption instruments.
The Nexus Series supports full BET surface area measurement and complete pore size distribution analysis across the micro-, meso-, and macropore regimes in a single integrated experiment — simultaneously correlated with the evolving XRD structural data.
The Nexus Series is available in four configurations defined by two independent axes: adsorbate type (gas only, or gas and vapor) and temperature operating range (ambient/elevated, or cryogenic/temperature-controlled):
| Model | Adsorbates | Adsorption Temperature Range | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nexus G Core | Non-corrosive gases only | RT to 623 K (ambient and elevated temperature) | Gas adsorption studies at ambient and high temperature — catalysts, MOFs, zeolites under thermal activation conditions |
| Nexus G Cryo | Non-corrosive gases only | 85 K to 473 K (cryogenic and temperature-controlled) | Gas adsorption at cryogenic temperatures — N₂ adsorption at 77 K, Ar adsorption at 87 K, CO₂ adsorption at 195 K for micropore characterization |
| Nexus GV Core | Non-corrosive gases and vapors | RT to 623 K (ambient and elevated temperature) | Combined gas and vapor adsorption at ambient/elevated temperatures — water vapor, organic solvent vapors, mixed gas-vapor systems |
| Nexus GV Cryo | Non-corrosive gases and vapors | 85 K to 473 K (cryogenic and temperature-controlled) | Most complete configuration — gas and vapor adsorption across cryogenic through elevated temperature range |
The Nexus Series delivers unique scientific value whenever the correlation between crystal structure and adsorption behavior is the central research question. Standard separate-instrument workflows cannot answer this question with confidence because sample transfer, different experimental conditions, and batch-to-batch variation all introduce uncertainty into the XRD-sorption correlation. The Nexus Series eliminates these variables entirely by measuring both datasets simultaneously on the same sample.
Investigate structural changes in heterogeneous catalysts during gas adsorption and activation sequences — directly correlating phase composition and crystallinity evolution with adsorption capacity. Identify active phases, deactivation mechanisms, and the structural basis of selectivity during in situ conditions at temperatures up to 623 K. Support porosity calculations from full BET and pore size distribution analysis correlated with real-time XRD data.
Characterize the structural flexibility of breathing MOFs in real time during gas uptake — directly observing the structural transformations (open-to-narrow pore transitions, guest-induced phase changes) that govern the unique adsorption behavior of flexible frameworks. Quantify the pressure thresholds at which structural transitions occur and correlate them with the step-shaped isotherms that define these materials’ adsorption properties.
Monitor unit cell parameter changes during CO₂, N₂, and hydrocarbon adsorption in zeolites at each isotherm equilibrium point — directly revealing lattice contraction, expansion, and interplanar spacing changes that reflect host-guest interactions and framework response to adsorption. Simultaneously track adsorption capacity and pore structure across the full micro-to-mesopore range.
Characterize gas adsorption behavior of electrode materials, solid-state electrolytes, and separator materials in direct correlation with their crystallographic state. Study phase evolution during gas exposure, thermal treatment, or activation sequences — critical for understanding cycling-induced structural degradation in battery and supercapacitor materials.
Combine in situ XRD with vapor adsorption isotherms to unravel the structural basis of VOC capture — identifying which crystal planes and structural features contribute to adsorption at specific pressure ranges. The GV model configurations enable direct benzene, toluene, water, and solvent vapor measurements correlated with XRD patterns at each equilibrium point.
From fundamental materials research through applied catalyst and adsorbent development, the Nexus Series provides the structural insights needed to understand why materials adsorb the way they do — not just how much.
Adsorption isotherms of benzene on organic cage materials at 25°C, combined with in situ XRD patterns collected at each adsorption equilibrium point, reveal distinct and systematic structural evolution throughout the adsorption process.
CO₂ adsorption isotherms of NaX zeolite at 25°C, combined with in situ XRD patterns and the corresponding unit-cell parameter (a) determined at each adsorption equilibrium point, reveal a gradual decrease in the unit-cell parameter throughout the adsorption process as CO₂ uptake increases.
| Parameter | Nexus G Core | Nexus G Cryo | Nexus GV Core | Nexus GV Cryo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adsorbates | Non-corrosive gases | Non-corrosive gases | Non-corrosive gases and vapors | Non-corrosive gases and vapors |
| Adsorption Temperature Range | RT to 623 K | 85 K to 473 K | RT to 623 K | 85 K to 473 K |
| Parameter | Specification (All Models) |
|---|---|
| Pressure Measurement System | ≥ 5 high-precision pressure transducers: 3 × 1000 Torr, 1 × 10 Torr, 1 × (1 Torr or 0.1 Torr) |
| Vacuum System | Turbomolecular pump + mechanical pump |
| X-ray Source | Sealed-tube Cu target; Co, Mo, and Ag targets available as options |
| X-ray Tube Power | Continuously adjustable, 600 W to 1600 W |
| Goniometer | θ-θ geometry, radius: 170 mm |
| 2θ Scan Range | -3° to 156° |
| Angular Accuracy | ≤ ±0.01° (NIST-1976a) |
| Detector | Direct photon-counting 2D array detector; pixel pitch 55 × 55 µm; 256 × 256 pixel array; selectable 0D, 1D, and 2D operating modes |
| Installation Requirements | L 80 in × D 52 in × H 40 in (L 2.0 m × D 1.3 m × H 1.0 m); minimum load-bearing capacity: 1100 lbs (500 kg) |
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Precision True Density for Small Sample Volumes
● Small sample cells from 1 cm³ to 10 cm³ for limited, valuable, or difficult-to-prepare materials.
● Automated sample chamber sealing eliminates operator variability and improves repeatability.
● Intelligent reference volume management automatically optimizes accuracy across all small sample sizes.
● Optional temperature control (3–60°C) and optional vacuum pretreatment for challenging materials.
Modular Multi-Station Surface Area & Pore Analysis System
● Configure mesopore, micropore, or mixed-mode stations in a single gas sorption analyzer.
● Run simultaneous, independent BET surface area, pore size, and adsorption isotherm analyses without cross-interference.
● Expand modularly to a total of up to 3 connected units, supporting up to 12 analysis stations for high-throughput laboratories.
Automated true-density measurements, consistent results.
● (4–60°C) temperature-controlled pycnometer, precise density.
● Integrated microbalance enables accurate weighing.
● PC-controlled automation records data automatically.
● Optional vacuum degassing to 10kPa.
Cost-Effective Catalyst Characterization – Core Functions, Expandable Options
● Various single-photon-counting X-ray detectors.
● Pure Kα1 radiation using Co, Cu, Mo and Ag sources.
● Transmission/Debye-Scherrer or Bragg-Brentano mode.
Reliable single-crystal diffractometer for molecules/proteins, low background, 137° 2θ.
● One single instrument for small molecules & proteins
● High dynamic range (> 1:10⁵)
● Extremly low background (no dark current)
Flexible vertical/horizontal diffractometer for crystals/powders, dual-beam, X-AREA.
● Flexible goniometer (Eulerian cradle and various fixed chi setups)
● Sphere of confusion of less than 0.005 mm radius
● Ultrafast hybrid pixel detector (full EIGER and PILATUS detector range)